Cliff Avril on WDFN: I'd prefer to stay in Detroit, but 'it's up to the Lions' to offer long-term deal

With the NFL lockout still in effect, no one can say with certainty what modifications, if any, will be made to free agency. A likely scenario, however, is that players with four years of experience will become unrestricted free agents.

For the Detroit Lions, one player affected will be defensive end Cliff Avril, who will have four years under his belt after the 2011-12 season (assuming there is one).

Just because he can be a free agent, however, doesn't mean he wants to be one. Avril, who has 19 sacks in his career ‐ including 8.5 last year - would love to stay with Detroit, which took him in the third round (92nd overall) of the 2007 NFL draft.

"I would love to continue to build and to be a part of the change with the Detroit Lions," Avril said on WDFN-AM 1130 Detroit. "I would definitely want something long-term, just for the security and to be able to be set.

"But it's up to the Lions, honestly. If they offer me something, and we go in there and think it's the right choice, we'll do it."

The 25-year-old won't necessarily be looking to test the market, either. With the right offer from the Lions, he'd love to stick around with one of the most talented, young defensive lines in the league - a line that's adding 2011 first-round draft pick Nick Fairley.

"No doubt, I'm definitely willing to talk (long-term deal)," Avril said. "I have a great group of guys around me, and we all are getting better. With all of us getting better and continuing to build, I think we can be one of the best groups out there, so why wouldn't I wanna stay with these guys?"